One-third of Britons think flu is just a bad cold, but each year thousands of people die of complications following flu. Find out how colds and flu differ.
Colds and flu share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat), but are caused by different viruses. Flu can be much more serious than a cold.
If you're generally fit and healthy, you can usually manage the symptoms of a cold or flu yourself without seeing a doctor. Look after yourself by resting, drinking non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration and avoiding strenuous activity. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can relieve aches and pains.
Some people need to take extra care as they're more at risk of serious chest complications, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. People over 65 are more at risk of complications. People under 65, including children, are more at risk of complications if they have:
Everyone in an at-risk group is eligible for a free flu vaccination. This is the best protection against the virus. Find out who is offered the flu jab. In winter 2010/11, pregnant women are to be offered the flu vaccination for the first time.
Symptoms
There are around 200 viruses that cause colds and three that cause flu. There are many strains of these flu viruses, and the vaccine changes every year to protect against the most common ones.
Colds
Symptoms of a cold include:
- runny nose, beginning with clear mucus that develops into thicker, green mucus as the cold progresses
- blocked nose
- sore throat
- sneezing
- cough
People with a cold may also suffer with a mild fever, earache, tiredness and headache. Symptoms develop over one or two days and gradually get better after a few days. Some colds can last for up to two weeks.
According to the Common Cold Centre in Cardiff, a cold is most contagious during the early stages when the person has a runny nose and sore throat.
Flu
Flu usually comes on much more quickly than a cold, and symptoms include:
- sudden fever of 38-40°C (100-104°F)
- muscle aches and pains
- sweating
- feeling exhausted and needing to lie down
- dry, chesty cough
- sneezing
Flu symptoms appear one to three days after infection and most people recover within a week, although you may feel tired for longer. A severe cold can also cause muscle aches and fever, so it can be hard to tell the difference.
Whether it’s a cold or flu, get medical help if you have a chronic condition (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), or if you have a very high fever as well as an unusually severe headache or abdominal or chest pain.
Stop the viruses spreading
Cold and flu viruses are spread by droplets that are sneezed or coughed out by an infected person. Other people can breathe in these droplets or transfer the droplets to their eyes or nose on their fingers.
Protect yourself and others against colds and flu by:
- coughing or sneezing into a tissue
- throwing a used tissue away as soon as possible
- washing your hands as soon as possible
- having a flu jab every year if you're in an at-risk group
Find out more about flu and the flu jab.
Try the colds and flu symptom checker.
